Site of a proposed waterfront park on the Hudson River at Delaware Avenue in Cohoes (Jeff Couch / The Record)

COHOES -- The city of Cohoes, through the use of a grant, is looking into creating a waterfront park along the Hudson River that would be used for non-motorized boats, a trailhead, and interpretive historic markers. But not everyone is on board with the idea.

A public meeting was held Thursday to hash out ideas, concerns and comments about the proposal for the 1.9 acre site that is adjacent to the Van Schaick Mansion on Van Schaick Island along the Hudson River; it is known as the Shanahan property since the family has owned the property for years.

City officials said this would be the only park in the city with waterfront access. Hart Park is adjacent to water but residents are not able to access it due to a 20-foot drop, said director of community and economic development Ed Tremblay.

Such a project has been discussed since 2000 when a small park was recommended along Delaware Avenue as part of a Route 470 Corridor Study. The property was identified again in 2011 in the brownfield study, which found that a park had the potential to spur further development. The intent is to also compliment the Van Schaick Mansion with a landscaped front riverfront lawn, said Andy Raus, of Bergmann Associates which conducted the presentation Thursday before 40 area residents.

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Neighbors wanted to know if the site would be used for recreational motorized boating, which will likely not occur since the focus is on non-motorized boats although emergency boats will have access to the water. Common Councilman Ralph Signoracci, D-Ward 6, said he felt this was "putting the cart before the horse" since the city does not own the property.

Tremblay said the Shanahan family did voice "minor concerns" but were receptive to the idea of selling the property at market value. A family friend leases the property that currently has a small structure.

The city is using a $70,000 grant, from the state and the IDA, to look at the feasibility of the project, which would include a small pavilion, amphitheatre, kayak access, a river overlook, an historic interpretive display, and emergency vessel access. There would also be connecting trails.

There is a possibility of collecting revenue if the site were to be rented out for community events.

Some at the meeting said another park was not needed and would only cost the city in maintenance and upkeep. "We have 14 parks in the city. I cannot see how another would be maintained," said Bill Ricard.

"It is more maintenance but that is why we have a summer crew," said Mayor George Primeau.

A structure environmental assessment was done in 2012 with suspect material samples taken, said Raus. An archaeological investigation that year identified Native American and 18th century materials with the potential for additional deposits below two feet. With this in mind, development on the site would not go below that 2-foot mark.

Previously, a hotel and huge theatre were proposed for the site.

The site is below the flood plain, which is partly why it is being looked at, Tremblay said, since other development would be difficult and expensive.

"There are seven and a half miles of waterfront property in Cohoes, a city of four and a half square miles, yet we do not have a park with water access," said Tremblay.

He also noted at the meeting that the city is looking for a developer for a three-acre site near the 112th Street Bridge for a waterfront boardwalk with retail space and eateries.